Police, community and calendar briefs for May 16, 2013

Published: Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 10:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 8:27 p.m.

Police Beat

Man, 51, charged with felony battery

Deputies arrested a Fort McCoy man Tuesday and charged him with felony battery.

According to a Marion County Sheriff’s Office report, Deputy Jose Fabian met with the victim, who said he had an altercation with John J. Yeomans, 51, who bit his right ear, causing an approximate inch-and-a-half tear. He said he helped another man fix a boat motor, which upset Yeomans, and they began arguing and Yeomans pushed him and bit him.

A witness said he saw Yeomans push the victim, but did not see him bite the man.

Yeomans told deputies the victim called him a name and pushed him. During a tussle, he said, he was pinned against a boat and bit the victim’s ear because he said he was going to shoot him, noted reports.

No weapon was found on the victim.

Officials investigate vehicle burglaries

Close to a dozen vehicles were discovered burglarized early Tuesday in the Sun Valley community.

Anyone with information can call the MCSO at 732-9111 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or visit ocalacrimestoppers.com.

‘Click It or Ticket’ starts on Monday

Starting Monday, law enforcement officials will be taking part in the national “Click It or Ticket” seat belt enforcement mobilization and cracking down on motorists who are not belted.

“Seat belts save thousands of lives every year, but far too many motorists are still not buckling up, especially at night when the risk of getting in a crash is even greater,” said Sgt. Frank Zadnik, a supervisor of the Ocala Police Department Traffic Unit. “We want everyone to have a safe summer, but it requires an important step on the part of motorists — clicking that seat belt.”

In attendance will be Ocala Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Sampson’s Gym, Impact Youth Ministries, Ocala Dance, and the New Hope Anger Management Group. The event is free to attend and will include music and seminars. Attending youth taking an anti-bullying pledge will receive $8 Zaxby’s gift cards from Brad Harper, organizers said.

At 6 p.m., the Marion County Amateur Boxing Challenge, organized by John 3:16 Boxing, USA Martial Arts and Sampson’s Gym, will begin. Competitors will come from Miami, Jacksonville and Orlando. Professional boxer Danny Santiago will be ringside for commentary and autographs.

General admission is $10; $5 for youth not taking the anti-bullying pledge. Ringside seats are $20 in advance or $25 the day of the show. Tickets are available at Big Al’s Barbershop and Pasteur’s Sports.

For more information, call 318-8491 or 875-5271.

Volunteers sought for river cleanup

Volunteers are needed to help clean up the Rainbow River on Saturday

Everyone will meet at Rio Vista Beach Park, just north of Dunnellon, at 9 a.m. and work different areas of the river in boats, kayaks and canoes.

Debris will be brought back to the park at noon for record-keeping and disposal. A free lunch will be served.

To sign up, call Jerry Rogers at 489-4648.

For more information, visit www.RainbowRiverConservation.com.

Education center courses available

The Master the Possibilities Education Center summer sessions will feature close to 300 classes, presentations and films in June, July and August. All courses and programs are open to the public.

Printed copies of the catalog are available at the Education Center, 8415 SW 80th St., Ocala, and the Freedom Public Library, 5870 SW 95th St., Ocala.

An online version is available at www.MasterThePossibilities.com.

Registration can be done online, by telephone at 854-3699 or in person.

Safe boating course is June 1

The Harris Chain Sail and Power Squadron will hold a safe boating course from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 1 at Millers Boating Center, 1661 NW 57th St., Ocala.

The cost is $49 for the first family member and $25 each for other family members willing to share a book. The minimum age is 12.

Attendees who pass the final exam will receive an FWC Boating Safety Education ID card, required for all boaters born after 1988.

Registration is required.

A class also will be held July 13.

For more information call 259-9711 or visit www.harrischain.org.

Basic driver improvement

The CF Institute at the College of Central Florida will offer a basic driver improvement course from 5 to 9 p.m. on May 31 at the CF Hampton Center, 1501 W. Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala.

The course will prevent points on a driver’s license following a traffic citation and may be used for insurance discounts. The fee is $29.

For more information, call 873-5804 or visit CFItraining.cf.edu.

Funds available to help with utilities

The Salvation Army has funds available for those who qualify to help with electric bills from Ocala Utilities, Sumter Electric, Clay Electric and Progress Energy, and also to help pay water and gas bills.

For more information, call 732-8326.

Firearms safety course canceled

A four-hour firearms safety course scheduled for June 1 through Community Technical & Adult Education has been canceled.

Anyone who registered will receive a full refund of course costs and background check costs, if applicable.